Titanic memorial back on course

One hundred years ago today, relatives stood on the quayside at Southampton to wave farewell to some of the city’s 538 residents who were doomed never to return from the Titanic’s maiden voyage.
Today their descendants gathered at the same spot to place wreaths on the water and observe a minute’s silence before marching through the streets alongside schoolchildren who were carrying pictures of the crew members.
They finished up at the new SeaCity museum, where Olympic oarsman James Cracknell cut the ribbon to declare it officially open, assisted by William and Henry Ward, aged eight and six, whose great grandfather survived the tragedy.
Among its maritime exhibitions, the museum, which cost £15 million, tells the story of Southampton’s crew on the Titanic and the impact the tragedy had on families in the city.
At the docks, the eerie sound of a recording of RMS Titanic’s whistle was played at midday, the moment the liner slipped its moorings. The 1930s tug tender Calshot stood in for Titanic, and fortunately there was no attempt to re-enact the near-collision with SS City of New York which almost changed the course of history.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, cruise ship Balmoral is back on course and schedule after delays dogged the first two days of its Titanic Memorial Cruise.
Earlier today the vessel had to turn round and head back towards Ireland to rendezvous with a rescue helicopter called in to take BBC cameraman Tim Rex to hospital after he suffered a suspected heart attack. Watch the video of his med-evac here.
Yesterday’s arrival in Cobh (above), Titanic’s last port of call, was delayed by two hours but not, as has been widely reported, due to high winds and heavy seas en route.
Speaking from the ship tonight, organiser Miles Morgan told me that Balmoral had been held up leaving Southampton in order to allow two giant tankers to proceed ahead.
“It’s been a bit rocky, and I’m not a particularly good sailor, but I have been fine. The atmosphere on board has been amazing and the reception in Cobh was incredible; there were thousands of people there to greet us.
“The weather forecast for the next couple of days is fairly good and the Captain is optimistic we will reach the wreck site on time for the memorial service in the early hours of Sunday morning.”